We Can Work it Out | Pleasing God

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Roy Lobo, John 15, the Lord said you are my friends if you do whatsoever I command us to read Maurice's clear Jesus about saying whatsoever you will agree with whatsoever. I you don't have to fill out a form and privileges notarized. You don't have to cut your hair a certain way to their no secret handshakes or confidential passwords.

But how do we know really a Christian is not an insignificant question today of a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie helps us evaluate ourselves to see how her commitment is a part of his happiness wasn't there so let me give you a short answer ready. No, I don't think let me ask another question that I think addresses the deeper issue. I don't think the question should be a Christian loser salvation.

I think the question should be to the Christian who was allegedly lost her salvation ever really have salvation to begin with his because if they did not bring forth what the Bible calls fruit in keeping with repentance.

I would suggest to you that they never were a Christian at all. It just because someone carries a Bible doesn't make him a Christian just because someone says praise the Lord. It doesn't make him a Christian.

The Bible says even the demons believe in Trumbull, there has to be fruit or results in their life as they work out their own salvation with fear and trembling to hear something you might want to write down purified litmus test to show that you are really say that someone will say some like this you know I tried the whole Christianity thing and it didn't work for me that drives me crazy when I hear because my answer is no, you didn't. You know, because Christianity is not in it to him and it's God Almighty, Christ comes into a person's life. He will work in that life. So if it" did not work. That's not about him. That's about you and here's some questions I would ask the person who allegedly quote tried the whole Christianity thing" and it didn't work. Number one. I would ask them did you confess Jesus Christ as Lord because first John 415 says if anyone confesses that Jesus is the son of God.

God lives in him and he and God did you confess Christ as Lord. Did you ever tell anyone you were a Christian.

I'm not saying that all you have to do is confess Christ as Lord, because you could do that not be a Christian. But having said that, I think if you are a Christian you should confess. Sometimes we have people walk forward in invitations and referred me quote the verse where Jesus says if you confess me before men, I'll confess you bore the father and the angels in heaven. And the reason I do, that is, it helps people to see. This is a serious commitment that you must make. I'm not saying that's the only way they can present but it certainly is all way to confess him being a Christian is not something that is hidden but is open number two do you obey the commands of Jesus Christ or did you obey because first John 53 says this is love for God, to obey his commands and his commands are not burdensome for everyone who was born of God overcomes the world did you keep his commandments don't tell me you're a Christian and your blatantly breaking the commandments left and right. If you love him do what he said you don't do what he says really, how much do you love you Jesus did not say you are my friends if you do whatsoever.

You agree with. He said you are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you.

Some will say one of it's hard so what if he commands you to do it you you do it it's whatsoever. Is it will what if you disagree with the Bible. Change your opinion in the Bible's right to simple as that. Also, never says his commandments are not burdensome you find the Christian life miserable and confining this.

It seemed he was though God is not to spoil all your fun.

I think you're missing the point a little bit because if you really met Jesus and he's come to take residence in your heart and you really have this love relationship with him. I think you will want to do the things that please him and I think you by nature, and I would also add by a new nature given you by God, you would not want to do the things that would just please him.

Okay. Number three. If you're Christian or if you claim to have been a Christian. Were you unhappy or miserable when you're sending you unhappy or miserable when you're sending first on 39 says everyone that has been born of God does not habitually send because God's seed remains in him and he is unable habitually. This sin because he's been born of God.

Listen a Christian will not be sinless, but a Christian will send less and less and less. I think what happens is, the more you become like Christ. The more you realize you're not like Christ and the more godly become. You become, the more you realize how ungodly you really always were. So there's always the awareness of sin. But at the same time there is change in our behavior. There is change in our actions. There is change in the things that we say into that's bringing forth fruit in keeping with repentance. But notice that it says that if you are born of God, you will not actually sent doesn't see one syllable to some will say what I've read sinless perfection know you haven't know I have weird line. And that's assuming you haven't, because the Bible says that we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in so will never be sinless. This side of heaven. But having said that, if you can sin habitually. Okay, that's the key. In the Greek and says if you habitually said, as I always said God I'm sorry I repent. That's one thing it's a person that sin and then sends the next day and then I think vector living in a pattern of sin there living the lifestyle of sin. This is the choice they make over and over and over. If you live that way. According to Scripture, you're not really born of God, so there should be kind of a mystery.

There and if you're unhappy and sin that's good.

If you're happy and sin and you don't feel any conviction or guilt. While thing actually using. I think it comes down to this. It's not that these people are losing their salvation.

It's that they never really had salvation to begin with. I know Christians can go astray. I know there can be prodigal sons and daughters. My mother was a prodigal for most of her adult life he came back to faith under the wire shortly before she died. Both of my boys for a time were prodigal son. They knew what was right, they weren't happy living the way that they were living, but they were living in a way that was not right before the Lord, but thankfully both of them recommitted their life to the Lord and I think here's what it comes down to a true believer will always come back. Now someone says or a Christian, and they never come back, that I would suggest you they were never a Christian, but if there Christian and they come back and that shows there, a child of God or we could call them a prodigal. You've all heard the story of the prodigal son right. How many of you print the story of the prodigal. Yeah that's in the Bible to the prodigal. It's inside computer to says it would be better if they had never known the right way to live, then the know to reject the holy commandments ever given to them to make this proverb come true. A dog returns to its vomit and a wash.

Returns to the mud. I know the Bible is true for many reasons. But here's one. Not just because it predicts the future accurately. Not just because everything that is set I found joy in my life, but because I've seen a dog eat its own bar. That's what it say a dog returns to its own vomit. Dogs are so weird that way right. I want to throw up. Need it what's going on what's going on of the dog mind there need a hot meal.

There is really then later the wash it down with some toilet water in the Lucas in the face and people will say oh you know a dog's mouth is cleaner than a humans own you eat Barbara drink toilet water so that dog just so a dog returns to its own vomit, why does a dog do that because it's a dog. Dogs do doggy things and he's an animal would people want to treat dogs like little humans the other day I slow down for a person because there getting their baby stroller. Alton, I was so patient. They opened up the back of their SUV and they got it out. It was all pink and really in just waiting smiling a while. You know, and then the pulled a dog out and I am almost was mad.

Okay, I mean really pushing the dog right. Isn't it interesting. No one pushes cats around in strollers is that baby cats are smart in that regard. I met you and that dogs are lagoons greatly barf later. I don't know what's up.

But then there's that. You know that some people are buying pigs as pets.

The newest craze is a teacup. Which really is a potbelly. That's what they call it.

And that's just a smaller version in an the other articles out there telling you it's not like having the dog. They cost more in there there's a lot of trouble with them and you get all these issues with kids and you nothing I my one little potbelly pig will carry the little pig around with me and you know and I'll get the pig a little outfits and it'll be my let you know the. Would rather be in the slot. You know why pigs hang out in slop because that's all the cool off so I pig is happy cooling off in the slot right that's what they want to go they want to go back to the pigpen. They want to eat all that garbage on the ground. That's a big because the dog is a dog in the pig is a big horse is a horse of course.

Of course if you're laughing your older you've seen that Mr. read TV show. Maybe you saw it and rerun.

But anyway, here's my simple point.

They're just doing what comes by nature succumbing back to the issue I raised earlier a prodigal will always return to God for the pig will so are you a big room prodigal in just a moment. Pastor Greg will have his final 25 litmus tests to help us determine if our faith is genuine.

Stay with us whenever you send us a letter and email or post a comment on social media.

We read every word. Pastor Greg then encouraged by your teaching podcasts Sunday services online study and everything else I can get my hands on a piece that can only come from God. I found a great church home for myself and had been attending faithfully for the past six weeks. Today I signed up to be part of the things I've been learning what is truly blessed me is seeing God change my client has never said so many tears chilling over things I see God doing all around me ministry and teachings have been a big part of that.

I'm so thankful want to listen God's richest blessings. How have these daily studies minister to you and your family. Would you let us know tell us your story by calling 1-866-871-1144 again, 866-871-1144 will today. Pastor Greg is giving us five litmus test to check up on ourselves and evaluate of our faith and commitment is genuine. Let's continue. There's another one to others never afforded you keep yourself from the devil. See if you're really a Christian. If you really been born of God, you keep yourself from the devil. First John 518 says we know whoever is born of God does not sin habitually and he was been born of God keeps himself from the devil and the wicked one does not touch.

What is it mean to keep themselves from the devil while the idea is that you stay as close to God as you possibly can see I don't keep myself saved, but I can keep myself safe to say that again I don't keep myself saved that God's work. He seems to me, but I keep myself safe because I know there are certain places of I go there that's a bad thing for me, like, you know, let me illustrate with food. I know there's certain places or certain food I like to eat in that place and if I go there I'm going to eat that food. But if I don't go there. I won't eat that fattening food so I may avoid that place.

So the same is true in life in general. If I go to this party.

If I hang out with this person if I watch this thing on TV that I go to that website. Trouble always follows okay. Newsflash don't go to that website.

Don't go to the party don't hang out with uppers. See, instead of it. Find a better place to go to church for a midweek Bible study. What a great choice.

You will that affect yourself on the back, go ahead, try something you really wear okay no I'm glad to hear you made a really good choice here for tonight. Replace your ungodly friends with godly friends, go to websites that will edify you would build you up in your faith harvest.org is not a bad place to go.

We a lot of goodies there and also we have an app for your phone daily devotional smaller messages and all kinds of things but you know replace it with something that's better. The Bible says that we should keep ourselves in the love of God.

So the idea that it is stay as close as I can to the Lord and another one do you love other Christian really a Christian, you will love other Christians. Why first John 51 says everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and everyone who loves the father loves his child. You know you really love someone you love their kids to know I have friends there kids, hey I love their kids to that love extends to the children right and in the same way. We really love God will love his children and will want to be with his children. Some people might say well denied.

I can't find a church.

I really like and + the it's my only day off okay but the Bible says don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together as a matter of some is but exhort one another, and so much more as you see the deal the Lord approaching it doesn't say don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together unless Sunday is your only day off or overseeing the assembling of yourselves together unless you want to run a triathlon. I don't perceive the assembling of yourselves together. Unless it's a good beach day.

Now it says don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together to put it in vernacular don't miss opportunities to be with other Christians for worship in the church. Hearing the word of God.

I know the church has its flaws. That's because were in it right but just remember that Jesus started and loves the church and Jesus dying for the church and first John 51 says, if you love the father you love his child as well. So if you really love God you love this kid. Now let me turn it around.

If you love his kid.

By that I mean fellow Christians which you love God, how can you say you love God who you can see if you will love his people. You can see start their and so these are simple litmus test that show that our faith is real. Here's the key verse 13.

Don't miss this. It is God that works in you both to will and do of his good pleasure. So let's look at it again. Philippians 2 starting in verse 12, Paul writes and says therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but now much more my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, which reads carrier to the goal, fully complete, like you're in a mine fear and trembling was self this trust, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that works in you both to will and do his good pleasure. It's God working in me. It's not me trying to imitate Jesus it's Jesus living in me, and Jesus living through me. You see, that's where the strength comes I rewarded you ever get a desire to leave and want to open the word of God tell you that came from God himself. Where did you ever find a desire to want to actually worship God that to came from the Lord so that's will begin to get the desire to will and do of his good pleasure. This is what the Lord wants for each and every one of us so we can know were saying but let me just say yes some of you maybe have joined us. Most of you have physically at least were talking about being same day and you don't even know what were saying. I think the phrase save this a perfect expression that's very understandable.

We understand another setting someone sent out a burning building. Firefighter rushes and what we say they were saying right or someone's drowning in a lifeguard goes and rescues them.

What we say they were say because they were on the brink of death and someone saved their life so when we talk about Christ being alive when we say your say say say from what hell that's a big one.

It's the biggest one of all your saved from hell because you believe in Jesus, you're no longer going to hell and now you're going to government, say from what else say from the power of sin.

I no longer have to be under its control.

I've been set free by pricing from any addiction, say from any vice say from anything or anyone and say from the power of the devil on them before I was a Christian I was like a spiritual dartboard.

I had no way to fend off the devil but because Christ lives in me. We already read their first John, the wicked one touches me not. That doesn't mean the devil can't tempt you because he can and he will doesn't mean the devil will not hassle me because you'll do that as well. But what it means is, the devil cannot control me in the devil cannot attach himself to me and certainly the devil cannot live inside of me.

It's almost like you have an ID tag paying it off you know that says property of Jesus Christ and the double can read in the respective but he still wants to make your life hard. If you're listening to him then you have trouble. But if you keep your distance from him and keep your eyes focused on Jesus. Just remember, God will never give you any more than you can handle. There's always a way of escape to every temptation, but say I love you mama forget to pray and I want to give you an opportunity to believe in Jesus, you might ask, what does it mean to believe in Jesus. What it means is you believe he's here. You believe he's real and you asked him to come into your life because when it's all said and done. Being a Christian is Christ living in you and he will come and set up house in your life. He will come and take residence in your heart and be your savior and be your Lord and be your friend and much much more. But he will not force his way into any life he waits for our invitation. Let's power heads father, thank you for sending Jesus the Lord Jesus, thank you for coming and going of the cross and dying for our sin, to save us.

And thank you for rising again from the dead and now you stand here at the door of our life and you knocking if you just hear your voice, and open that door, you will come in. I pray for any that are here that don't know you hope them to come to you now, we would pray. Jesus came to Greg Lord important prayer about coming to the Lord to find forgiveness of sins. And if you like to do that. Pastor Greg will help you in just a moment for today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes you faster. Greg, we often invite listeners to write to you, we invite them to let you know how these studies impact their lives. Yeah we mentioned your email address or simply greg@harvest.org life.

We talk to them each day.

But it's always nice when they talk to us.

You enjoy that.

Yes I do and listen. This is so we can have a two way conversation so you can communicate with us as we continue to communicate with you together like links in the chain.

We will all do our part to bring the gospel to our generation.

So if you would prayerfully consider that I'd really appreciate it.

Bottom line, just write me a letter today. He will give you the address. I look forward to hearing from you and this writer addresses a new beginning.

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That would be great. We are completely listener supported. You can also go online to harvest.org. There you can make a donation and get the details on the resource would like to send you to thank you for your investment. Again, that's harvest.org or call us at 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime at 1-800-821-3300 or pressure you put it out the importance of asking Jesus to forgive our sin. So few moments ago. Could you help those who want to do that very thing right now. Yeah, you know, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ stands at the door of our life and he knocks and if any man will hear his voice and open the door he will come in maybe. As you've heard me speak today while you've heard another voice speaking to you. It's a voice of God and you realize you need Christ in your life you need your sins forgiven you want the assurance that you will go to heaven when you die when here's what you need to do.

You need to pray and I would like to lead you in a prayer right now or you will be seeing the Jesus Lord come in the my life. I choose to follow you. So let's pray Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner but I think you for dying on the cross for my sin. I turned from that sin.

Now and I put my faith in you be my Lord, my Savior and my God, my friend. I choose to follow you, Jesus. From this moment forward. Thank you for loving me and calling me and accepting me in Jesus name I pray, amen. Listen if you just pray that prayer I want you to know on the authority of Scripture that Christ himself is coming to your life. The Bible says these things we write to you that believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. If you just pray that prayer and minute you can know today you have eternal life MEI be the first to see the you welcome to the family of God and we want help you grow as a believer letter sent you are new believers grow spec will set it free of charge if you prayed with Pastor Greg today. Just call us at 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime. So again, dial 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or just go to harvest.org and click on know God Pastor Greg presents the final message and his happiness is a look at running this race of life.

Successful joint here on a new beginning pastor and five of future Greg Laurie and everybody thinks for listening beginning.

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